Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme, RDRP
Basic Information
Country
Geographic area
Programme type
Programme Details
Programme objectives
To demobilise former combatants from the Rwanda Defence Forces and other armed groups by supporting their transition and reinsertion into civilian life, especially those in a state of vulnerability; and to help the Government reallocate their expenditure from defence to socio-economic sectors.
Multi-Country Demobilization and Reintegration Program. 2008. “Rwanda.” MDRP website.
Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://tdrp.net/mdrp/rwanda.htm>.
Programme components
Basic Needs Kit (BNK); Recognition of Service Allowance (RSA);
Vulnerable Support Window (VSW) grant.
The programme also offers diverse vocational training and other forms of
education and rehabilitation, including psychosocial rehabilitation. Medical
assistance is provided to former combatants with special medical needs.
Demobilization and Reintegration Commission. 2008. “Demobilization & Reintegration – RWANDA.”
MDRP website. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://tdrp.net/mdrp/PDFs/Media_Kit_eng.pdf>.
Start date
1997
The programme has been in its third implementation phase since 2009.
Coverage
The programme targeted 36,000 former combatants, including 2,500 children, by the end of 2009,1 and 2,822 former combatants in 2014–2015.
Programme expenditure
USD65.5 million by the end 20091 and USD29.8 million during the period 2009–2015.
Targeting and eligiblity
Targeting methods
Categorical Targeting
Targeted areas
Nationwide
Target groups
Demobilised members of armed groups of Rwandan origin and members of the Rwandan Defence Forces.
Eligibility criteria
Verification of eligibility of members of Rwandese armed groups is based
on: Rwandese nationality; self-identification of the beneficiary as a former
combatant; proven affiliation with a recognised armed group that fought the
Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPA) in Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC); and proof of military ability.
Vulnerability criteria are based on the potential beneficiary’s access to
housing and productive means, health and employment situation, and
household characteristics. Community Development Committees (CDCs)
and associations of former combatants are in charge of identifying those
former combatants who qualified for the VSW grant. Medical vulnerability
is verified through medical screenings in demobilisation centres.
World Bank. 2002. Technical Annex for a Proposed Credit of SDR 20 Million (USD 25 Million
Equivalent) to the Republic of Rwanda for an Emergency Demobilization and Reintegration Program.
Washington, DC: World Bank. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.mdrp.org/PDFs/Country_
PDFs/RwandaDoc_TechAnnex.pdf>.
Coverage and other information
Type of benefits
Cash and services for beneficiary’s children (training, education, housing)
Amount of benefits
According to the 2010 Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration
Commission (RDRC) Project Implementation Manual, beneficiaries
receive a demobilisation card and a Basic Needs Kit (BNK), valued at
FRW60,000 per beneficiary. Former combatants from RDF and members
of armed groups receive their BNK in cash prior to their departure from
demobilisation centres.
The Recognition of Service Allowance (RSA) is paid in two instalments.
The first instalment (FRW50,000) is paid one month after settlement in the
community of choice, while the second instalment (staggered by rank with
a Private receiving FRW120,000 and a Colonel FRW600,000) is paid two
months later. Payment in more than one instalment gives former combatants
an opportunity to improve their money-management skills.
The programme has introduced the Reinsertion Kits for dependents
of former army groups combatants (provided mainly in-kind and as
transportation) to support their livelihood in the first months after they return.
The Reintegration Grant is provided to RDF and armed-group former
combatants. The grant amounts to FRW120,000 and is received three
months after demobilisation (the grant is intended for integration,
households costs and income-generating activities).
The VSW grant is provided to former combatants in a situation of persisting
vulnerability (after having received the previous grants)
and on average should not exceed USD333.
Payment/delivery frequency
The RSA was paid in two instalments (the first one month after settlement
and the second two months after that) via bank account deposit.
Demobilization and Reintegration Commission. 2008. “Demobilization & Reintegration – RWANDA.”
MDRP website. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://tdrp.net/mdrp/PDFs/Media_Kit_eng.pdf>.
Benefit delivery mechanism
Bank transfers
World Bank. 2002. Technical Annex for a Proposed Credit of SDR 20 Million (USD 25 Million
Equivalent) to the Republic of Rwanda for an Emergency Demobilization and Reintegration Program.
Washington, DC: World Bank. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.mdrp.org/PDFs/Country_
PDFs/RwandaDoc_TechAnnex.pdf>.
Benefit recipients
Former combatants from armed groups
Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and frequency
A management information system is in place.
